Support for Funeral Costs of a Beloved Mother

On October 22 my family lost our rock. My mother, Maria Rosario Romero Doxey had a freakish accident at home that took her life. One minute she was putting her Porto's pastries away and the next she was unresponsive and intubated at USC Keck's ICU. She hit her head on the fridge door as she straightened herself from leaning over the freezer cabinet. Mom developed a cerebral hematoma that bled profusely and caused her to go into cardiac arrest. The doctors did everything they could to prepare her for life saving surgical procedures. My family also did what they could--they held her hand, kissed her forehead and prayed over her. We visualized her recovery and encouraged her to breathe with ease and to have courage to overcome the challenges at hand. Unfortunately, her brain and body ceased to communicate effectively and she was unable to recuperate.

My mommy was a beautiful person. She was joyful, crafty, musical, business savvy, an amazing cook and the best grandmother. If you knew her and admired her fairy casitas, made from recycled soda bottles and papier mâché, you were surely on her list to receive one! If you complimented the fancy crocheted shawls she wore, she made you one in your favorite color. If you liked her food, she sent you tamales, or quesadilla (Salvadoran pastry) or invited you over for dinner or to cook with her. She even cooked for my college students and peers if I asked her to. That is how my mommy loved and she loved everyone. I see how my sister Ligia Raquel and I are just like her in our expression of love. We too make arts and crafts just to give away and we show love through through food as well.

I hold deep gratitude in my heart for all of the time I had with my mom. I am thankful my son and nieces were able to experience her love. My mom mothered those babies from Day 1. When Iliana was born, mom took her everywhere while my sister worked. That little baby would wake up in the morning, crawl out of my sister's bed and head to my mom's bedroom. She'd knock on the door until "grandma" opened and let her in; Grandma was her second mom. Benny too loved and was loved by his grandma. When he was little he'd leave me to go snuggle and watch TV with her. As Benny got older, my mom took to sending him care packs that included his favorite Salvi meal: refried beans, bolillos, crema and queso fresco. Kendall, was my mom's last baby; mom potty trained her, taught her to eat on her own, took her to school and even taught her to call bad drivers "pendejo" --don't judge her!

Losing our mother has been devastating; She held us together and now we struggle to keep her memory alive while also fill in the gaps of all she did to care for Kendall, her home, our stepfather and all of us. She was so busy living she did not plan for end of life.

This gofund me helped us raise some money to pay for her funerary services. Thanks everyone for your generous donations. My family and I are humbled and grateful for your support.